The other night we were visiting with relatives and one of the other guests brought a dessert along. As she was raving about how healthy it was I was burning up inside! Why? Because she thought she had made the dessert better for us by making it with low-fat, sugar-free, imitation food products. It absolutely drives me crazy how pervasive the myth is that FAT is bad for you! I’ve been seriously thinking about hand-painting a sign in our kitchen that reads, “Viva la fat” but my husband apparently doesn’t think it’s as brilliant as I do.

With all of the low-fat propaganda going around I find it refreshing whenever I find a book that shines the spotlight on the truth… that stands up for good fats like butter, coconut oil and lard and says “no-way” to margarine, refined vegetable oils and “new-fangled fats” (as Sally Fallon calls them). I’ve recently read two books that do just that. “Eat Fat, Lose Fat” by Dr. Mary Enig and Sally Fallon is one of them and the second is, “Real Food for Mother and Baby” by Nina Planck.

Nina conveys important nutritional concepts in a conversational style that makes it easy to read. While I still love “Nourishing Traditions” by Sally Fallon it can tend to sound more like a textbook than Nina’s book. She’s also written “Real Food: What to eat and why” but I haven’t had a chance to read it yet. In “Real Food for Mother and Baby” she not only lays the foundation for sound nutrition but she gives important information relating to fertility and what to feed infants. What we eat BEFORE pregnancy has a profound affect on the health of our future babies. So many health problems that arise during pregnancy and birth can be prevented with good nutrition coupled with an active lifestyle. So, even if you’re only thinking about getting pregnant get this book before you try to conceive!

As far as baby’s first foods there is a lot of misinformation being propagated by medical professionals. My understanding is that doctors and nurses receive very little training in nutrition. In fact, our own family doctor (who knows I pursue alternative health) asked me what I had found were the best first foods for my youngest daughter. She voluntarily admitted that “we (medical professionals) really don’t have much information about that.” Nina clears that all up and gives evidence-based advice on what is best for baby to eat. This is one of those books that I wish I could give every couple planning on raising a family.

Great. It’s good to know that such book exist. It very important, especially when thinking about concieving, to have an excellent diet.

BeeJayApr 20, 2010 at 11:12 pm

Have you heard of Jamie Oliver, the “naked chef?” No, he doesn’t cook naked, he uses REAL FOOD! We’ve been watching his “Food Revolution” as he’s gone to the unhealthiest city in America, Huntington, WV, and is trying to teach folks how to cook simply and nutritiously. He’s even taken on the schools - a real challenge! Catch the show if you get a chance. I think you’d like it.

Elvis RoyleAug 16, 2010 at 12:10 am

My Daughter in Law tells us that the baby is eating at the time she eats or right after she has eaten something, because the baby becomes active, kicking,or moving during that time, but I don’t think Moms food has processed and gone into the baby that fast. Who can tell us how long it takes for mothers food to process for unborn baby to receive nourishment from it?facebook food layouts

irvinelmoAug 16, 2010 at 12:22 am

Hi,
Pregnant women need meat and salt, not iron supplements.Nursing will be easier if you act like the mammal you are.Delaying the introduction of certain solid foods doesn’t prevent allergies.Cereals are not the best foods for tiny eaters;meat and egg yolks are better.

josephnivaAug 18, 2010 at 04:43 am

Hi,
During pregnancy,folic acid is vital to the development of the baby’s nervous system.Nursing mothers are well advised to continue taking their prenatal vitamins.Folic acid also can be found abundantly in asparagus,cabbage,corn,chick- peas,and spinach.Many other foods,such as wheat and orange juice,have been enriched with folic acid.
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